Ireland prospect Rory Finneran named in 'Next Gen' Premier League talent list

Ireland U17 star Rory Finneran has been named in the Guardian's annual selection of the top young talent at each Premier League club.

Mon, 14 Oct, 2024 - 11:27

Examiner Sport

Ireland U17 star Rory Finneran has been named in the Guardian's Next Generation 2024 list - an annual selection of the top young talent at each Premier League club.

The list is restricted to players born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008, an age band known as first-year scholars.

Finneran, born in England to Irish parents, is the only Republic of Ireland international to make the list.

A defensive midfielder, Finneran joined the Blackburn Rovers academy aged eight and became the club's youngest senior player last season, before moving to Newcastle last summer.

Louise Taylor writes:

"Finneran’s accomplished left foot – although he is also pretty good with his right – has already helped earn him 10 Republic of Ireland Under-17 caps. Not to mention making him the youngest player to have appeared for Blackburn’s first team when, at the age of 15 years, 10 months and eight days he came off the bench to make his senior bow in an FA Cup tie in January.

Given the then schoolboy’s age, Finnernan had to wear a specially adapted shirt as he was too young to promote the vaping company advertised on Blackburn’s kits. He was also an unused substitute for a Championship match last season. Named Ireland’s Under-15 player of the year in 2023, Finnernan joined Blackburn’s academy at the age of eight but had been on the radar of a raft of Europe’s leading clubs for some time.

With Newcastle winning the race for his signature, Finneran rejected the offer of a scholarship at Ewood Park, choosing a switch to the St James’ Park academy."

Also on the list is young Arsenal goalkeeper Jack Porter, who qualifies to play for the Republic, though represents England at U17 level. Porter made his full Arsenal debut last month against Bolton in the Carabao Cup.

Northern Ireland's underage star Braiden Graham is the Nextgen nominee for Everton.

Signed from Linfield last summer, Graham has already represented – and scored for – Northern Ireland Under-19s.

Tottenham forward George Feeney is also nominated. Feeney arrived from Glentoran last season and has played for both the North and Wales at underage level.

Next Generation 2024: 20 of the best talents at Premier League clubs

Arsenal: Jack Porter (Goalkeeper)

Aston Villa: Max Jenner (Midfielder)

Bournemouth: Jonny Day (Striker)

Brentford: Domeiro Bobb-Semple (Forward)

Brighton: Darius Lane (Midfielder)

Chelsea: Shumaira Mheuka (Striker)

Crystal Palace: Charlie Walker-Smith (Defender)

Everton: Braiden Graham (Striker)

Fulham: Logan Cooke (Centre-back)

Ipswich: Charlie Compton (Midfielder)

Leicester: Louis Page (Midfielder)